Major Recovery: Pakistan Drone Drops Ammo and IED Near LoC

New Delhi, january 01, 2026: In a major breakthrough against cross-border terrorism, Indian security forces on Thursday foiled a sophisticated attempt by Pakistan-based entities to smuggle weaponry and explosives into Indian territory. A high-stakes search operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district led to the recovery of a drone-dropped consignment containing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), live ammunition, and narcotics.

The Incursion and Discovery

The incident unfolded during the early hours of January 1, 2026, when alert troops of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police detected the humming sound of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the Khari area of the Poonch sector. According to official reports, the Pakistani drone intruded approximately 1-2 kilometers into Indian airspace, hovering for over five minutes before returning to the Pakistan-occupied side.

A massive cordon and search operation (CASO) was immediately launched in the Chakkan da Bagh belt, specifically between Rangar Nallah and the Poonch River. During the search, security personnel discovered a suspicious bag abandoned in an open field, believed to have been released by the drone.

Analysis of the Recovered Contraband

Upon securing the site, a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was summoned to inspect the package. The contents revealed a deadly mix of terror hardware and narcotics:

• Yellow Tiffin Box IED: A suspected Improvised Explosive Device concealed within a tiffin carrier, designed for a low-cost but high-impact blast.
• Ammunition: Dozens of live rounds, including ammunition for AK-series rifles.
• Narcotics: A significant quantity of high-grade drugs, often used by terror handlers to fund local insurgency operations—a tactic frequently referred to as “narco-terrorism.”

Growing Drone Menace on the Border

This latest incident highlights the evolving challenge of drone warfare and smuggling along the 740-km long Line of Control. Pakistani agencies have increasingly turned to small, commercial-grade drones to bypass traditional border fencing and surveillance, delivering payloads of weapons, cash, and drugs to “over-ground workers” (OGWs) on the Indian side.

Recent data indicates a spike in drone sightings, particularly during the winter months when heavy fog and snow provide natural cover. In response, the Indian Army has deployed Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS) and intensified manual patrolling in vulnerable “dropping zones.”

Security Heightened for the New Year

The recovery comes at a time of heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir due to New Year celebrations and the harsh “Chillai Kalan” winter period. Security agencies have intensified surveillance in the forested hinterlands of Poonch, Rajouri, and Kishtwar to ensure that no further “drops” remain hidden.